Associate Service Chief-Pharmacy Operations
: Job Details :

Summary The Associate Service Chief-Pharmacy Operations position is located at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: Associate Service Chief-Pharmacy Operations GS-14 Duties include but are not limited to the following description: The Associate Service Chief-Pharmacy Operations reports directly to the Chief, Pharmacy Service and is responsible for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning and implementation of comprehensive acute and ambulatory care pharmacy activities and services which promote effective utilization of all resources. This includes patient care, research, quality assurance and performance improvement and pharmacoeconomics to improve the care and treatment of patients utilizing all services of VA Connecticut Healthcare System. In the absence of the Associate Chiefs, Acute and Ambulatory Care, the Associate Chief is also responsible for providing leadership and direction to the clinical and educational pharmacy programs at VACT. Must possess interpersonal skills to effectively function with health care professionals and all pharmacy and VACT staff. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F2523 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education: (1) Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) ###-####, or through their Web site at: (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.)(2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Associate Service Chief-Pharmacy Operations GS-14 Experience: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13). Assignment: Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and in compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. Functions include but are not limited to the following description: ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Assists in maintaining close liaison with clinical and administrative services while assisting in the overall responsibility to monitor all VACT (Medical Center and Outpatient Clinic) programs and reporting to the Chief, Pharmacy Service potential service and resource requirements. Effectively organizes, directs, manages and controls all inpatient and outpatient activities, plans short and long range objectives, solves problems, and achieves results within budgetary and staffing constraints. Promotes sound and economical personnel management reviews, identifying duties and responsibilities, and justifying personnel needs that are based on current programs and workload requirements. Coordinates with the Chief, Pharmacy Service, pharmacy supervisors and Program Managers Pharmacy Informatics in overseeing security for the pharmacy. Coordinates with the Program Manager-Inventory Management to maintain effective control accountability throughout the fiscal year. Provides accurate information to the Chief, Pharmacy Service regarding annual budgetary needs. This includes applying accounting principles and methods to trend drug budget growth and to manage the budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Manages effective quality assurance and performance improvement programs for the entire Pharmacy Service through close coordination with the Chief, Pharmacy Service and Associate Chiefs. Assures all VA and Federal regulatory, Joint Commission and ASHP standards are met, as well as any other applicable standards. Fosters an environment supportive of continuous quality improvement and teamwork, which increases quality of service, enhances morale, strengthens employees' appreciation of their value to the organization, and results in increased productivity, customer satisfaction and employee retention. Develops and strengths skills that will enhance the quality of service provided to those whom we service - the patients, other employees, and the community. CLINICAL PATIENT CARE SKILLS Provides care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned areas (i.e. adult and geriatric populations). This entails a knowledge of human growth and development; ability to assess and interpret age specific data and provide age specific care; communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to treatment; and ability to involve family/ significant others in decision making related to plan of care. The knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to provide such care will be refined through continuing education and training and experience. MEDICATION DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTION Performs all pharmacy distributive functions according to the VHA and local policies to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to the hospital staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate. Completes all mandatory training as required by local, VISN and national mandates within established timeframes and submits documentation of training to the Pharmacy Service Administrative Assistant. Assures timely completion of all internally assigned employee education modules as presented via Talent Management Service (TMS). Attends and actively participates in pharmacy activities, i.e. staff development, pharmacy meetings, residency advisory meetings, etc. SAFETY The Associate Chief will work safely in performing all assigned tasks, being mindful to follow applicable safety rules and regulations and reporting all unsafe acts, conditions and personal injuries to the supervisor immediately. The Associate Chief will attend safety training and continuing education as required. In addition, he/she will demonstrate knowledge of roles and responsibilities regarding Medical Center and Service safety management plans. The Associate Chief will maintain the security of the Pharmacy, making sure that only Pharmacy employees, residents, volunteers, students or other authorized VA employees are allowed access into the Pharmacy areas. Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience. Serves as a technical expert in pharmacy operations and resource for pharmaceutical matters. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying; straight pulling; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.